Why corruption matters: understanding causes, effects and how to address them

Commissioned by the Department for International Development to inform effective anti-corruption programming and policy development, this study provides and authoritative assessment of the literature on corruption.

This study explore the conditions that facilitate corruption, its costs, and the most effective ways to combat it. In doing so, it:

Synthesises a range of literature to assess the political, social and economic conditions under which corruption is likely to thrive.

Explores the relationship between gender and corruption.

Identifies existing evidence on the financial, social and other impacts of corruption across a range of areas.

Assesses what anti-corruption measures are likely to be effective and under what conditions.